Summary The young years of King Henry IV


Henry Mann
Young years of King Henry IV
Part I. The Pyrenees of the
Boy called Henry. The mother instructed Henry to take care of the relative and the educator, so that the son would grow up, as the children grow up among the people. He lived in the castle of Coarraz, and the area was called Béarn. When his grandfather died, the old man Henry d’Albret, his mother called him home, to Pau, where they kept a small courtyard. The old man d’Albre, the village sovereign, owned the Pyrenees slope with everything that grew and multiplied there. He was called King of Navarre. France was split in two by Catholics and Protestants. Throughout the country, they robbed and killed in the name of both warring faiths. The old man d’Albre was a Catholic without extremes, he calmly permitted listening to Protestant sermons. The main thing for him was not to allow the King of France to take into his own hands too much power.
After the death of the old man, his

daughter Jeanne became Queen of Navarre. Her husband, Antoine Bourbon, was the general of the French king. Most of the time he spent in campaigns. Jeanne loved him until he began to make mistresses, but did not put much hope on him. Mother Jeanne d’Albre was a sister to the king of France Francis I. Jeanne became queen, but she was not enough. Although the now reigning King of France from the house of Valois had four more sons, the ambitious Jeanne predicted his son Henry an extraordinary fate. One day Jeanne embraced Henry’s son and daughter Kathryn and announced that they were soon going to Paris. Before the journey, the queen converted to Protestant faith. This strengthened the influence of the new religion. Before leaving for Paris, the mother told Henry about the Queen Mother, Catherine de Medici, which Jeanne hated. On the eighteenth day of the journey, they crossed the Loire to stop at the castle of Saint-Germain, where the queen-mother lived.
Immediately after the arrival of Henry met with the young King Charles IX and princes – the eldest, Henry, who was called Monsignor, and the youngest,
etc., Alencon. Soon he met Princess Margarita Valois, who made an indelible impression on him. Catherine de Medici invited Jeanne to “buy out” her faith, but realizing that Jeanne was unbending, decided to make friends with her. The Queen Mother did not pay attention even to the Protestant sermons, which Jeanne arranged in the palace. Instead of expressing Jeanne’s distrust, the Queen proposed to unite against the enemies. The greatest danger for the ruling house was represented by Giza. Their wealthy Lorraine branch claimed the French throne and enjoyed the support of Philip of Spain. Poor Queen Bourbon did not take into account. She herself hoped for the help of the Spanish king. Jeanne in all went to meet Queen Catherine. This self-sacrifice demanded from Jeanne the interests of her son and faith.
Henry became the head of the gang, in which was the whole young generation of the court, including the king and princes. Dressed in their cassocks, they broke into important meetings and prevented lovers. Catherine learned about this when the gang rushed to her on horseback with donkeys led by Henry Bourbon. Soon Jeanne was asked to leave the courtyard. Henry was left with his father to make him a Catholic. Before leaving, Jeanne forbade the boy to go to Mass. Henry was given to Navarre College, the most aristocratic school in Paris. Monsignor and the youngest from Gizov also visited him. Both were namesakes of the Prince of Navarre, and they were called “three Henry.” Jeanne started an open internecine war. Protestant troops led her brother-in-law Conde. Henry patiently endured punishments, if only he did not go to mass. He persisted in March and surrendered on June 1. His father himself took him to Mass.
Among the comrades, Henry did not enjoy a special affection, although he managed to arouse in them both fear and laughter. Even outwardly Henry was different from them. He was shorter than most peers, very dark, light brown and foolish. His speech was still dominated by native language. From yearning for home Henry fell ill. Father took Henry to the village, and he went on his next campaign. In less than a month and a half, as Antoine died. His mother Henry during this time and did not see. After the death of his father, Henry was appointed governor of the province of Hyenne. His deputy was Montluc. In return, Jeanne was allowed to raise her son, without personally being present. Henry again became a Protestant, but this did not touch him any more, his motto was: “To win or to die.”
Henry was 11 years old, when he was taken on a great journey of King Charles IX of France. Jeanne demanded the exercise of her maternal rights, but Catherine remained indifferent. In the city of Bayon Catherine visited the Spanish ambassador, the Duke of Alba. The meeting was held face to face in the guarded hall. Catherine and Alba spoke in a whisper, but Henry, who hid in a huge fireplace, heard them discussing the price of a dagger blow and guessed two names: Coligny and Jeanne. Henry knew before the time human anger and accepted the challenge of fate. On this day his childhood ended.
Part II. Jeanne
To talk with his mother Henry only succeeded in Paris. He told her everything he heard sitting in the fireplace. Then Jeanne made an escape. It was February, when they arrived in Pau. Prince of Navarre was 14 years old. Soon, Prince Conde decided to attack the King of France. Jeanne demanded from Catherine the viceroyalty over the province of Hyenne. Catherine refused. Coligny and Conde began a military campaign. To protect her son, Jeanne moved to the area of ​​Satonzh on the ocean coast, where there were the main Protestant strongholds. Henry meanwhile became addicted to the game, women and feasts. He was always short of money. Only the war could pay off his debts. Meanwhile, Jeanne reached La Rochelle, where she was completely safe. Henry was one of those who led the military campaign. Outwardly, he looked like his mother. The same tall narrow eyebrows and caressing eyes, a calm forehead, dark-brown hair, strong-willed little mouth. He was healthy and slender, his shoulders grew wider. However, he did not promise to become tall. The nose was long, his tip curled slightly to the lip.
The war was begun. Protestants were defeated, although they outnumbered the Catholic army. Marshal Coligny had to sacrifice Prince Conde. It was Henry’s turn to become a leader. At that time, Henry closely mingled with his cousin Conde, the son of the deceased prince. The Protestant army united and threatened Paris. Catherine and Jeanne signed a peace treaty in which Protestants were given freedom of religion. Henry doubted that this treaty would be useful. A short period of peace followed. Jeanne ruled her small country, Henry – the province of Hyenne. He was more and more fond of women and increasingly changed them.
Catherine learned that Margot had an affair with Giz. This small fat woman with dull black eyes held fast to the power and did not want to share it. Such a son-in-law as Guise did not suit Catherine. In the husbands of Margot she wanted an ordinary and obedient young man from a good family and chose Henry of Navarre. At the same time, Queen Elizabeth of England decided to offer Henry his hand in order to prevent the marriage of Henry and Margo, since this union united France and made it stronger. The decision was left to Henry. He chose Margot Valois. King Charles was sick, the princes were not healthy either. Henry realized that by marrying Margo, he would be one step closer to the throne. To prevent Catherine lure Henry into the trap, Jeanne decided to go herself to the Medici court. Jeanne d’Albre sacrificed her life.
Having met Madame de Medici, Jeanne demanded that Margot take the Protestant faith. All through the winter she bargained with Madame Catherine, feeling that her strength was waning with every passing day. Margot wanted to warn Jeanne of the danger, but soon the impulse passed: she was still the daughter of the Medici. And Madame Catherine decided in one fell swoop to finish off the bored Protestants on the day when the Prince of Navarre arrives to court with his Huguenot suite. It remains only to impress King Charles that his favorite Admiral Coligny is an enemy. It was not difficult, a friable and painful Carl was timid and easily raged.
Henry started off along with his merry and young retinue. Henry realized that he was making this journey on the orders of Madame Catherine. He knew how to look at life soberly, and it was difficult to deceive him. Waking up one morning, Henry saw his mother in some space, which was not the grayish morning air. Inside, he had a bright, terrible light, and in it Henry saw Jeanne already deceased. On the way Henry met a messenger who said that the Queen of Navarre was poisoned. Henry vowed revenge. The messenger brought him his mother’s will and told him that his sister also wanted to go, but she was detained. Huguenots flocked to Henry from all sides. He wanted to come to Paris with great strength, as required by Jeanne. Henry entered into single combat with the main dangers that life sends to us – to be killed or betrayed.
Part III. Louvre
Henry went to his wedding, at times succumbing to the vengeful mood that reigned in his retinue. So he reached a place where it was too late to return. Here, Henry was waiting for the courtiers, who were entrusted with the solemn meeting of the bridegroom, led by his uncle – Cardinal Bourbon. From that moment, a detachment of rebellious Huguenots was, as it were, a prisoner of the cardinal. The next day they reached the suburb of Paris, where they were met by Coligny himself. Despite the magnificent meeting, the streets of Paris were deserted, the goods in the windows of the shops were cleaned, the shutters were locked. Henry heard hostile shouts. Stopping at the Prince Conde and greeting his sister, Henry went to the Louvre, where the old witch sat like a spider, which deprived his mother.
Catherine de ‘Medici was in mourning. She assured Henry that she was deeply mourning Jeanne. At that moment Henry felt that his mother’s killer was regrettable. Evil, when it is already decrepit, causes laughter, even if it continues to kill. Wishing to accuse the queen of murder, Henry demanded an explanation. Catherine introduced him to two respected doctors who swore that Queen Jeanne had died a natural death.
When he met Margot, Heinrich burned with passion. Margot realized that she had become a new way to the son of poor Jeanne. Her feelings arose before her, unknown to her. After the ceremony of engagement and a solemn banquet, Henry managed to secretly get out of the Louvre. In the palace of Conde, Henry met with Marshal Coligny. The old man believed that Catherine accepted Henry for the sole reason: that the religion of Jeanne would lose its leader, and advised the prince to return home, to Navarre. Henry also brought this marriage closer to the throne. He dreamed of rallying France against her true enemy – Spain. He stayed. From now on his life will flow along the edge of the open abyss.
Part IV. Margo
On August 18, Margot married Prince Henry of Navar. In Paris, monks wandered, predicting the grief and death that the Huguenots would bring that filled the city. All the fanatics of the faith were dissatisfied with this marriage. The next morning after the wedding Henry got up early and went to wander the corridors of the Louvre. A young maid of honor, which he managed to subdue, led Henry to the attic, from where a secret room was visible through a small hole. In it, Henry discovered Madame Catherine, d, Anjou and Giza. They were planning somebody’s murder. Henry did not understand who exactly they wanted to kill: King Charles, Coligny or himself. Soon everyone dispersed. Returning to himself, Henry found a corpse of a young maid of honor near his door. Meanwhile, Margot had a prophetic dream, in which God told her: “Do not kill!”. Quickly dressed, she went to her mother. Ekaterina had Charles IX. Together they tried to force Catherine to cancel her bloody plans. They demanded to leave Henry and Coligny alive. Catherine allowed Margo to take her husband to England. After this little victory, Margot and Karl returned to that subordinate position in which they lived their whole lives.
Margot tried to persuade her husband to go with her to England. “It all depends on Admiral Coligny,” Henry answered. Later, Margot realized that these words were just an excuse, Henry was too brave to flee. From the palace of the Duke of Anjou the guests moved to the Louvre, where the feast continued. There, Henry was surrounded by his nobles and tried to force him away from Paris. The King of Navarre refused flatly and returned to the holiday.
On August 22, Admiral Coligny was wounded in the arm. Charles IX was furious and frightened by this incident. Soon it became known that the murderer was sent by Guise. The King vowed to avenge this atrocity. Unexpectedly, Madame Catherine supported him. She almost persuaded Henry, because she was sincere in her own way. The attempt at Coligny was too early. The city was seized with excitement. In all the houses near the home of Coligny, Charles placed the Huguenots. Madame Catherine was waiting. She gave the assignment to her youngest son, and the chief enemy of the Admiral, a certain Cossen, became the head of the detachment guarding Coligny. At night Madame Catherine, accompanied by a, Anjou entered the bedchamber of Charles. They began to prove to the king that Coligny was threatening his life and the throne. Gradually, Carl was broken. “Let all the Huguenots in France perish!” he shouted, stamping his feet in fury. Catherine took advantage of this. It was August 24, 1572, the day of St. Bartholomew. The bell rang in the monastery of Saint-Germain l, Auxerrois. It was a signal. On the streets came volunteer townspeople who recognized each other by a white bandage on their sleeves and a white cross on their hats. Everything was planned in advance. Coligny was given to Mr. Giza. The admiral’s body was thrown out onto the street, to the feet of the nobles who crowded there.
Waking up in the morning, the young King of Navarre, accompanied by Conde and forty nobles, went to Karl. On the way to the king they heard the alarm. That hour, armed people attacked the Huguenots. Someone grabbed Henry’s hand and dragged him into one of the rooms, Conde followed him. It was the bedchamber. Carla. He himself locked the door behind them. Standing at the door, they listened to the sound of the battle. Some time later the Queen of Navarre entered the room. She asked Karl to give life to several Huguenots. Karl also possessed an unlimited aversion to everything that was happening. Remembering his mother, he played an attack of rage, than mastered perfection, and became what he was forced to be – the cruel Karl of St. Bartholomew’s night.
Through the deafening ringing of bells erupted screams, screaming, howl. All were engaged only in one: they were killed or died. The venerable townspeople took with them heavy bags full of money. Henry looked at it from the window of the Louvre. After the death of Coligny, he was left alone.
Part V. School of misfortune
Henry recalled his mother, Coligny. He was overcome with burning repentance. His thoughts were replaced by some kind of hop. Henry jumped up and began to beat his head against the wall. He was held by a faithful servant, d, Armagnac. Soon, on the threshold of the room appeared the nobles, who accompanied the King of Navarre to the great hall of the Louvre. It was dark: a huge flock of crows descended on Paris and blocked the sun. Karl IX boastfully stated that he himself had fired a Huguenot from the balcony. In fact, he tried to miss, but he did not brag about it.
Catherine de Medici looked at herself as the main weapon designed to subjugate France for the sake of the ruling house. Even at the Bartholomew’s night, she acted with a quiet conscience. In the evening, Catherine arranged a magnificent spectacle, which she directed from her chambers. The queen, duchesses and princesses, glittering with jewels, passed through the main hall. Henry did not see anything, did not perceive the sounds or smells of incense. He could smell the blood, he heard a howling howl. All evening Henry kept himself in hand and shunned everyone, shaking with hatred.
Soon came news from Europe. It turned out that the massacres were outraged by remote and weak countries. Elizabeth of England went to the events very businesslike, at her expense Madame Catherine soon completely calmed down. With Navarra and Conde, Catherine addressed herself as a loving mother. Henry pretended to be obedient, but obtuse. Soon it became clear to the whole kingdom that the St. Bartholomew’s Night had not led to anything. “Dumping the enemy is a simple thing, but you need to have the confidence that they will not rise again and will not be twice as strong,” Karl IX snapped under his breath.
September 29, the day of St. Michael, Henry of Navarre had to endure Mass. He was forced to write a decree on the Béarn Protestants and send a letter to the pope. Catherine conceived to accuse Henry of man’s impotence and to obtain from Rome the dissolution of marriage. From the son-in-law there was no longer any benefit, and Margot could be profitable again to marry. Catherine scornfully called Henry the King. That evening Henry again lay down on the matrimonial bed. He did not forget that the daughter spends whole days in her mother’s chamber. Now the trick governed his life.
In the country there was again a religious war, hunger began. The Duke of Anjou was more and more anxious for Poland, whose throne she had procured for her pet Catherine. In Paris arrived the Poles, who came for their king. The entire courtyard accompanied the Polish king to the border. Karl did it to the detriment, and he had to leave in Vitry. Only Heinrich remained with him, because he hoped to escape, but Madame Catherine kept her eyes on him. On May 31, 1574, Carl died. The doctor could not stop the blood coming through the pores of the skin. He was 23 years old.
Part VI. The weakness of thought
Heinrich was constantly thinking of escape plans, but they invariably broke down. But gradually he calmed down. Some saw him as a courtly cheerful fellow, others sought exalted feelings, but he drove them all by the nose and enjoyed any occasion to express his admiration for Madame Catherine. Both of them were curious to each other and kept on their guard. On the throne of France, Henry III, former King of Poland, reigned. In the Louvre, the king was captured by his mother. The king’s captors abused his lack of will.
Heinrich became close to Giza from hatred: he wanted to get to know his enemy better. But when you recognize the enemy, there is a danger that you will find him not so bad. The debauchery of the court, meanwhile, has gone beyond all bounds. The king spent millions on his lovers and dubious entertainment. It was at this time that Giza, with the help of Spanish gold, founded the League in order to gain power in the country. The Paris crowd supported Henry de Guise, for he was the idol of the mob. Henry of Navarre hated Philip of Spain because he suffered from France. He tried to warn Madame Catherine, but she believed that Philip her friend did not understand that the King of Spain was looking for a governor in France, but Henry was beginning to understand this. Throughout the country, stray monks incited the people against the king, and lists with the supporters of the League went.
Margot with Henry associated a sincere friendship, which Catherine could not destroy. They even warned one another when one of them was in danger. On September 15, 1575, the youngest son of Madame Catherine fled to rebel against the king. From this day on, Catherine established Henry even more strict control. The prince nearly ripped off Henry’s plans. Nevertheless, Henry did not doubt his success: Madame Catherine’s school was not passed in vain. The more false leaders reject the people, the more inevitable will be his real leader.
Heinrich’s escape took place on February 3 during a hunt. The fugitives decided to seek refuge in the fortified cities of the Huguenots. In Alençon, Henry’s squad numbered about 250 noblemen. The camp stopped in Saumur, in the daytime transition from La Rochelle. Henry’s court turned out to be a court without religion. Cousin Conde was irreconcilable, but with La Rochelle Heinrich kept in touch He summoned his sister and on June 13 renounced Catholicism. June 28 Heinrich solemnly entered La Rochelle.
Part VII. The hardships of life
His residence king of Navarre chose Nerak. This city lay roughly in the middle of the country, which he was now to manage. It included the Navarre Kingdom and the province of Guyenne, in the capital of which the governor of the French king was still sitting. Henry eagerly visited the poor, and they did not know that they accept the king: in a worn jacket, in a felt hat and with a beard, he was not very noble. Henry knew that he could not be otherwise. He lived in the village and grinded flour at his mill. So it was called: “Miller from Barbasta.” And yet he had to remain a king and a secret, which he managed without difficulty. The Catholics at Henry’s court were no less than the Protestants, and he tried to see it.
The League of Giza did not cease to sow confusion, so Henry III convened in his castle in Blois the General States. Heinrich of Navarre wrote a message in defense of peace. He tried to do everything possible so that the internecine war would not break out again. Henry sought from the French king to return his sister and wife. The faithful Fervack delivered Catherine safe and sound, and his brother escorted her to Pau. Margot also fled to Flanders, along with Monsignor, who helped run away. The army of the King of Navarre roamed the country, not tired of revenge, to plant peace and establish order. Soon Henry III appointed a new governor of the Province of Gienni – Marshal Biron. He was given the right to dispose of the province in the absence of the King of Navarre.
Heinrich could not help but see that he was being revered less and less, not only because of his love affairs, but also as a ruler. The day is approaching when the governor, Biron, will take all power into his own hands. Henry began a strange war against the governor. He made sure that the country learned what kind of hunter was before the wine Marshal Biron. These rumors have restored the noble youth against the governor, who no longer drank without measure. Soon it became known that Biron promised to capture Henry and deliver it to Madame Catherine. Here Henry was frightened and decided to put the marshal in a ridiculous position. To this end, Obinier changed into Madame Catherine and frightened the marshal half to death. Over Biron laughed, and he himself fell ill with anger and humiliation. While the marshal was ill, Henry managed to repay him for many atrocities.
Soon, Catherine learned that the cities were moving to the side of Henry. She could not allow this, and decided to go there herself in the guise of what the King of Navarre was carrying. Henry had a meeting with Catherine in the manor of “Custer” – the one where Biron was disgraced. Henry accused the marshal of treachery, he spoke on behalf of the kingdom, which he defended, said from the height of the throne. Hearing this, Catherine became even more green. Henry again became friends with Margo. She told him about the arbitrariness that prevailed in the kingdom, that instead of the king, the League runs everything. Until now, her kin had seen in Henry an enemy who wanted to take their power from them, but for Margo he was a savior. Madame Catherine talked about peace, but her fame was contrary to her words.
Part VIII. The road to the throne
Relations between the spouses were not going well. Margot refused to live in Pau, because she suffered insults from the Huguenots – she was still a Catholic. Then Henry had his usual attack of weakness and inexplicable fever. He lay in bed for 17 days. All this time, Margot did not leave him. On her return to Nerak, the Queen of Navarre was allowed to open her own yard and even make a king of Navarre a young dandy. For 10 months they were happy.
Recovering from the disease, Biron became even more malign, trying his best to slander Henry before Henry III. In turn, Margot hated her brother and tried to set Henry against him. Henry decided to punish Marshal Biron. A victory was won over the governor, who brought Henry glory. The court in Paris found out about this and recalled Biron. The Duke of Anjou hastened to conclude a peace and alliance with his son-in-law. Only Prince Conde remained irreconcilable – it’s hard to reconcile with the fact that you will remain in the second place for life, although you did your duty no worse than your opponent. Due to the fact that Heinrich did not refuse the help of the Papists, Conde insisted on the purity of the Protestant teaching. He also went on a conspiracy against his cousin. The conspirators wanted Henry to lead his troops to help the archbishop of Cologne, who converted to Protestantism. Going to Germany meant giving up the conquered, losing the kingdom. This is what they wanted, demanding that Heinrich leave his country for the sake of the struggle for religion. But Henry will not do it. They knew this very well and could evoke hatred among the Protestants, and the message that Henry did speak could push Philip the Spanish to a terrible decision.
Finally, the whole kingdom of Henry became his. The new governor was not his enemy. Ordinary people called it simply: our Henry. They felt that the dangers were receding, and the world was becoming stable. Margot found out that Heinrich was betraying her with her own maid of honor and a pupil, young Fossess. Margot behaved carefully, she could not forget the years of happiness and hoped that Henry would return. Soon she discovered that Fosseza was pregnant. Margot was bitterly aware that she could not give Heinrich the heir. She realized that her happiness had come to an end. Along with the hope, she lost her temper, gave vent to her temper and ceased to be faithful to her husband.
Heinrich took Fosses to the secluded village of O-Shod, and Margot lived in the town of Banyer and was treated for infertility by local waters. When Margot returned to Nerak, she had to help Fossese during childbirth. The danger is past – a girl was born. To save her dignity, Margot went to Paris and took Fosses with her. She no longer hoped to give birth, and retired so that between her and Heinrich did not flare up hatred. Margo tried to use to lure Henry into the old cage. She wrote to her husband that Guise had aged, and the rest of the enemies were exhausted. She herself did not know why she was doing this. Reading Henry’s letters, Henry involuntarily saw betrayal in them. At that time, he had a new lover – the Countess Diana de Gramont, a rich, intelligent and refined woman. Soon Margot returned home, and Henry forgave her.
The Duke of Anjou died. Henry III was the only one of the Valois family, and he could not have children. He turned his brother’s funeral into a luxurious feast. King Henry III rejoiced – only that he remained. The League grew larger, embracing all the state with its tentacles. There was no one to protect the king. Margot again left her husband and fortified herself in the town of Agen. Henry was soon visited by King Henry III. He decided to appoint Gizam to his heir, Henry of Navarre. Returning to Paris, the king announced this to Gizam. All was confused definitively. The king sent troops either against Gizov or against Navarra. It was a war of existence.
Heinrich had too many enemies. The only salvation for him was to advance, to transfer the war to Paris. King Henry III ran out of money, the mercenaries fled. People came to Henry of Navarre from everywhere, and he dug trenches, ate and slept with them. He could easily defeat Heinrich III, but he did not do it: the two of them still had to defeat Giza.
Part IX. Dead on the road
On May 9, 1588, the Duke of Guise secretly made his way to Paris, despite Henry III’s weak resistance. The people and respectable citizens unanimously despised the unfortunate king, only the parliamentarians, the supreme judges of the kingdom, held his side. The crowd was beyond Giza. “Guise is the crutch of my old age,” said very old Queen Catherine. Giza visited Mendoza, the ambassador of Don Philippe. The real master Giza ordered: three days later, France must be engulfed in internecine war. The Spanish Armada was ready to move to England. From Giza was required to give her parking in the French harbors. The king, being in a desperate situation, called in the city of German and Swiss mercenaries. This served as the last pretext for the uprising. The mercenaries were defeated, and Henry III had to ask for his soldiers. Guise was no longer able to raise his hand against the king, although Meodos demanded just this So began a great distemper. The streets were full of monks, who, under the roar of the alarm, called for the massacre. Sister Giza Duchess de Montpensier persuaded the monk Jacob to kill the king. Guise secretly left for Henry III one unoccupied way out, and the king fled with the consent of his enemy. He remembered his cousin Navarre, and he wanted him to be here.
Heinrich himself was very afraid of poison since Prince Conde died. 24 murderers, one after another, sent in those days to the King of Navarre. Henry III sent his envoys to him to encourage him to convert to Catholicism. Only after this did Heinrich become the undisputed heir to the throne. But Henry knew that they could accept this as weakness. Only after many years, when he, already gray, will conquer and unite the kingdom, he will voluntarily go to mass.
Henry III moved to Blois, and immediately followed by Guise and the leaders of the League. Besides, every rabble from the capital was sent there. The king called the General States, and the academic lawyers were also forced to take part in the excesses. In the meantime, news came of England’s victory over the Spanish Armada. Encouraged by the example of England, the courtiers of Henry III begged him to call the King of Navarre. Soon Henry learns that the king killed the Duke of Giza. The League of 14 years set the rabble against the king, and in the end took the last strength from the kingdom. The king at that time was as poor as even Henry of Navarre had not been. Guise settled in the castle, where the king lived, in order to hold him tightly in his hands. Giza was killed in the bedchamber of the king, and the king looked from behind the hollow bed. Brother Giza, Cardinal of Lorraine, the king ordered to slay in the dungeon, the third brother, Mayenna, wanted. The dance of the dead did not stop all 1588. In the same year Catherine de Medici died. This news struck Henry.
Soon the two kings concluded a truce for a year, and Henry set out with his army. The closer he approached Tours, where Henry III assembled his parliament, the more courageous the learned men became. On April 29 they made a treaty between the kings in the code of laws of the French kingdom, and on the 30th Henry of Navarre arrived with his army. Kings met in the park of the castle du Plessis and embraced like brothers. The League was running in fear. The king’s army increased, and Mayenne’s army melted in front of his eyes. Even in the beleaguered Paris they began to rant openly. The League was now half of the demoniacs, half out of cowards. On July 30, the royal army took Paris. Two days later an attempt was made on Henry III. He was stabbed by a knife in the stomach of a nun named Yakov. The wound was fatal. The courtiers decided to betray the kingdom and go with the League. They demanded, that Henry immediately changed his faith – the King of France must be crowned with the hand of the church. Henry refused.
The army of the new king began to melt. Fidelity to Henry was retained only by Biron. Henry wrote an appeal to the French, in which he stated that he guarantees to both religions their former position. On August 8, Henry withdrew from the camp and moved north, hoping to get help from the Queen of England. On the 26th he was at the walls of Dieppe, the city immediately opened the gates to him. There was a battle with Mayenne. Huguenots fought to the sound of psalms and won. At age 36 Henry became king of France.
Too many participants in his fate are carried away by catastrophes, and death too hard assiduously tried to clear his way. On the battlefield, King Henry wept under the song of victory. That day his youth ended.


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Summary The young years of King Henry IV